2013 Attitude @ Altitude - GNaTPACK Race 7 - The Decider!

On Sunday 25th August 65 MTB competitors raced around a very fine tuned track, known as the Piney. A glorious top of 20 degrees for Armidale made for perfect conditions.Many riders made the trip travelling quite a few kilometres;from Grafton, Taree, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Nambucca Headsand Port Macquarie to join us in the fresh mountain air.

Seeded in our age group categories it was a very fast start to the race, but not for long. After 200m we came to a standstill at bottleneck rock, as I called it on the day... Once we managed to get past that we got some space between us for our big decision of the A or B line at the creek. Unfortunatelyfor Lawson Fittler the decision to go the A line wasn’t the best choice. A tumble over the handlebars put him out for the rest of the race.

Here are the top places in age groups:

Six competitors in the open male made it around six laps, placing first was Alan Ezzy with a total time of 1:29:50, followed by Jamie Vogel in 1:31:23 and Michael Harris in third with a time of 1:40:24, Congratulations to Michael Harris for having the fastest lap time on the day of 14:15.

19-29 Female first place was Jemma Burtonwood finishing four laps in a time of 1:17:26.

30-39 Men completed 5 laps, placing first Bret Provost with a total time of 1:19:30, second place was Darren Schaefer in the time 1:23:20 just edging out Benjamin Smith on 1:23:24 in third.

30-39 Female first place Jo Benham completing four laps in 1:14:45, followed by Rowena Stockton in 1:16:05.

40-49 Male was a highly competitive race with only four minutes separating the first six places. First in was Tony Williamson finishing four laps in 1:02:27, coming in second Ben Harris with 1:02:56 and not far behind was Stephen Rumble in 1:03:23.

40-49 Female was a close race with Shona Walker coming in first in 56:49 for three laps, second Joanne Tulk in 57:07 and Sonya Wrenford-Mobbs third in 1:02:45, top effort ladies.

50-59 Male smashed out four laps, how these guys do it is amazing! Clay Tulk in first place with a time of 1:06:17, Gregory Howarth in second 1:14:20, closely followed by Brian Cockbain 1:14:48.

50-59 Female was another close race; Shireen Brunckhorst was able to stay in front with her three laps in 1:04:07 followed by Lisa Harris 1:05:44.

60+ Male had two competitors, Richard Lehnert finishing three laps in 1:01:52, and Lionel Campbell with two laps in 1:02:38.

Beautiful weather, great coffee and a tasty BBQ made for a wonderful social day out for everyone involved. Especially the cheering Mobbs’ kids at the top of Crow’s Nest! Everyone appreciated all the encouragement there, thanks guys.

Also a thank you to BCM for the gels and the lucky number prizes handed out during the race, we all found the extra boost to be very helpful!

The Attitude at Altitude at the Piney was the final race in this years’ Gnat PACK series. Local riders will now prepare for the next Winter Series Race on the 15th September at the Piney. As well as various other social rides. Keep up to date on facebook and the NEMTB calendar.